Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing,
Kohima
The election system changes from time to time to suit the existing people and time. Many voters make sure that their candidate win the game by hook or crook. For this, they spend sleepless night instigating against the opponent candidates.
Many young people become victims of money, drinks and drugs during election. There may be some enthusiastic villages and towns where the smell of election has already brought some smiles on the faces of people. Some people must have bought trousers and blazers with extra pockets to be filled with the warmth of money. Of late, the new system of election seems quite interesting. Politicians use many loudspeakers through the broker in the person of some well-known people in the community.
The VIPs, Officers, public leaders are the main target to get into the nervous system of the people and place. A huge sum of money is pouredinto their basin to make them shout aloud for the candidate. Their dry throats will be quenched with the latest branded drinks of many sorts. It is these groups who spoil the peaceful atmosphere with their octopus behaviour. They know which tentacles should be extended to which direction.
Many common people become victims of this foul game. It is true that ‘clean election campaign’ has made some impact in Nagaland (both positive and negative impact). All the same, many VIPs, Officers and public leaders continue to get extraordinary help to make their life secure and comfortable. Whereas the common people are satisfied with one packet of salt or one kilo of sugar. If the so called higher class gets Rs. 100000 for one vote, a simple villager gets Rs. 1000. (Oh! Two zeros are missing; just add two eggs for time being). This is called ‘the new system of election.’ Money speaks well during election. This is how the learned and the educated class cheat from both ends. They remain leaders because they know how to bark, not how to live. After swallowing huge sums of money from one candidate, they remain rich and healthy till the next election.
The next election may find them with another candidate who offers them more than the former candidate. (The same is with the candidates who move from one party to another depending on the wave of money). They are really wise and prudent in fishing out money from the candidates. Many candidates dry up their treasuries because of this selfish group. This group knows how to receive from every source and make noise like thunder from one mountain to another. The mountains and hills in Nagaland are tired of such noise. They have served an ultimatum to the forest department to keep them serene and calm in the coming elections. Almost every tribe has formed an association called “Officers Forum/Association.” In every election, there is always a division between the “Officers Forum” vs “Common People.”
The common people are foolish enough to be trapped by the words of the so called ‘Officers’. The existence of the “Officers Forum” is an invitation for the formation of another association – “Non-officers forum.” Will this be accepted by the higher class (you call them officers) of the society? I believe they will not even consider the latter as an association. The higher class should remain as association, and others should not behave like them. Whoever tries to be like them shall be pushed down from the cliff.Please find foryourselves as to who breaks the society from within; the common people or the learned body? In Nagaland, all become leaders during election. But the post-election scenario will find no leaders or speakers for a good cause. The sudden disappearance of leaders will speak volumes of character deformation. All active members during election will die down after election. They will be back to their normal work place.
The VIPs and Officers will return to cities and towns. Most of you will see them only by the next election. The learned people of the community must be wise in their dealings with the common people. They must show the way to peace and justice in the society.
The common people look upon them for guidance and direction. But if they create negative impact in the society by their divisive forces and mentality, they will only bring disaster upon the people. Their learnings will bring no good news to the society. It is good to be wise and learned, but let our status of life not be the only criteria for dignity in the society. You need to dig you own dignity. Let every Naga see life beyond the turmoil of election. Election comes and goes, but Nagas are greater than election or any other political party.
Therefore, we must not allow election to divide us; rather let it gives us the ‘right freedom’ to elect our representatives in the best manner possible with a clear conscience under the banner of Christianity. Let your vote be your only vote.
